1 John 5

Is 1 John 5:7 the Only Verse on the Trinity?

Muslims usually ask the question that 1 John 5:7 is the only verse in the Bible on the Trinity, and since it is absent from the earliest manuscripts, isn't this evidence that the Trinity was an invented doctrine which was not part of the original Christian Faith?.

Firstly, yes it is true that this passage is not found in the earliest manuscripts and therefore is a variant reading. But this article is specifically written to show that the Trinity Doctrine is clearly taught in the Bible and even if we remove 1 John5:7, we still would have to follow the Trinity. Let us examine the evidence.

a) The Father is God:3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1)

b)The Son (Jesus) is God:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1 cf. verse 14)

5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!Amen. (Romans 9)

13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, (Titus 2)

c)The Holy Spirit is God:

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” (Acts 5)

16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3)

But surprisingly, all of them are seen together at one place yet as separate persons:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3)

26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. (John 15)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28)

14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians)

So, here are 3 realities. God is one. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are called "God", yet all of them are also shown us a distinct personalities. Hence we derive the Doctrine of the Trinity which is defined as:

"One God existing as three co-equal and co eternal persons"

Conclusion: 1 John 5:7 is NOT the only verse on the Trinity. This is something consistently taught in Scripture.